Romans 6ESV
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Romans6

English Standard Version

1 shall we ? Are we to in may ?

2By ! who to in ?

3Do you that all of who have been were ?

4We were with , in , just was the the of the , of .

5 we have with him in a , we shall united with him like his.

6We was with him in the of might be , so that would no be to .

7 one who has has been from .

8 we have , we we with .

9We , being the , will again; no .

10 the death he he to , for all, the he he to .

11 must to to .

12 , to you its .

13Do to as for , to those who have been brought to , to as for .

14 have over , you .

15 ? Are we to we ? By no !

16Do you if you to as , you of the you , of , which leads , of , which leads ?

17 be to , you who once of have the to the of you were ,

18and, having been , have of .

19I am in , because . just you as to to leading more , as to leading .

20 you of , you in regard to .

21But were you at that the things of you ? the of those is .

22 that you have been have of , you leads its , .

23 the of is , the free of is .

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Romans 6.

Full AI study →

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Believers must die to sin, and live to God. (1, 2). This is urged by their Christian baptism and union with Christ. (3–10). They are made alive to God. (11–15). And are freed from the dominion of sin. (16–20). The end of sin is death, and of holiness everlasting life. (21–23).

vv1-2

The apostle is very full in pressing the necessity of holiness. He does not explain away the free grace of the gospel, but he shows that connexion between justification and holiness are inseparable. Let the thought be abhorred, of continuing in sin that grace may abound. True believers are dead to sin, therefore they ought not to follow it. No man can at the same time be both dead and alive. He is a fool who, desiring to be dead unto sin, thinks he may live in it.

vv3-10

Baptism teaches the necessity of dying to sin, and being as it were buried from all ungodly and unholy pursuits, and of rising to walk with God in newness of life. Unholy professors may have had the outward sign of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness, but they never passed from the family of Satan to that of God. The corrupt nature, called the old man, because derived from our first father Adam, is crucified with Christ, in every true believer, by the grace derived from the cross. It is weakened and in a dying state, though it yet struggles for life, and even for victory. But the whole body of sin, whatever is not according to the holy law of God, must be done away, so that the believer may no more be the slave of sin, but live to God, and find happiness in his service.

vv11-15

The strongest motives against sin, and to enforce holiness, are here stated. Being made free from the reign of sin, alive unto God, and having the prospect of eternal life, it becomes believers to be greatly concerned to advance thereto. But, as unholy lusts are not quite rooted out in this life, it must be the care of the Christian to resist their motions, earnestly striving, that, through Divine grace, they may not prevail in this mortal state. Let the thought that this state will soon be at an end, encourage the true Christian, as to the motions of lusts, which so often perplex and distress him. Let us present all our powers to God, as weapons or tools ready for the warfare, and work of righteousness, in his service. There is strength in the covenant of grace for us. Sin shall not have dominion. God's promises to us are more powerful and effectual for mortifying sin, than our promises to God. Sin may struggle in a real believer, and create him a great deal of trouble, but it shall not have dominion; it may vex him, but it shall not rule over him. Shall any take occasion from this encouraging doctrine to allow themselves in the practice of any sin? Far be such abominable thoughts, so contrary to the perfections of God, and the design of his gospel, so opposed to being under grace. What can be a stronger motive against sin than the love of Christ? Shall we sin against so much goodness, and such love?

Cross References

Romans 6
v4Colossians 2:12allusion

Direct parallel linking baptism to being buried and raised with Christ.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v21 Peter 2:24thematic

Explicitly connects Christ bearing our sins to our dying to sin.

Supported by JFB

v3Galatians 3:27thematic

Parallel regarding being baptized into Christ and putting Him on.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Parallel on being buried/risen with Christ and seeking things above.

Supported by JFB

v6Galatians 2:20thematic

Crucial parallel showing the believer crucified with Christ, yet living.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v1Romans 5:20thematic

The direct verbal catalyst ('grace did much more abound') for the chapter's objection.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v21 Peter 4:1-3thematic

Arming oneself with the same mind; suffering in flesh ceases from sin.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v2Romans 7:4thematic

Dead to the law to bring forth fruit unto God.

Supported by John Calvin

v6Galatians 5:24thematic

Practical outworking of crucifying the flesh with its affections.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v10Hebrews 9:26-28thematic

Parallels Christ's dying 'once' to put away sin.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Parallel stating He died for all so they should live for Him.

Supported by John Calvin

v16John 8:34-36thematic

Jesus teaches that whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v82 Timothy 2:11thematic

A faithful saying: if we die with him, we live with him.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v13Romans 12:1thematic

Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, parallel to yielding members.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v15Romans 6:15thematic

Re-evaluates the core rhetorical question under the rubric of grace.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v21Romans 7:5contrast

Contrasts the motions of sin producing fruit unto death with holiness.

Supported by Matthew Henry